It’s well known high cholesterol increases your risk of heart attack and heart disease, and while there are plenty of medications available to help lower your cholesterol levels, there are also some simple lifestyle changes which can help to offer a positive effect on your cholesterol levels.

To get you started, we’ve outlined some straightforward ways to lower your cholesterol so you can improve your heart health.

Select heart smart foods

There are plenty of ways to reduce the cholesterol in your diet such as selecting healthier fats, eliminating trans fats such as cookies and commercially made snacks, eating foods rich in omega-3 such as fish and increasing the soluble fibre in your diet.

Increase your exercise

Boosting the amount you exercise per week is a simple way to lower your cholesterol. Aiming for around 30 minutes of physical activity per day to raise your heart rate is an easy way to get healthy. Consider taking the stairs to work rather than the elevator, riding your bike instead of taking the car or going for a brisk walk during your lunch break.

Don’t smoke

Quitting smoking helps your cholesterol levels and lowers your risk of heart disease. While it might take a few years to work completely out of your system, quitting smoking will help to lower your blood pressure and reduce your heart rate to a healthier level.

Aim for a healthy weight

Focusing on achieving a healthy weight range is important to lowering your cholesterol and improving your health. It’s important to consider changes to your diet such as ditching fast foods and unhealthy snacks and being more aware of the foods you’re putting in your body to reach your ideal weight range.

Cut back on alcohol

While it might be easy to consume a few alcoholic drinks a day, for optimum health and to reduce cholesterol levels, it’s important to drink in moderation. Alcohol can increase your blood pressure and the possibility of heart failure and stroke, so drink in moderation and aim for one drink a day for women and two drinks per day for men.

It’s important to get your cholesterol checked regularly as early detection saves lives. Speak with your medical professional today to find out more about how you can ensure your cholesterol levels are under control.

If you would like professional medical advice on ways to lower your cholesterol or to take charge of your health why not arrange one of our men’s or women’s health screening services today. To arrange a health screening get in touch with The Medical Concierge team to book an appointment +65 6679 7867 or email us at customercare@tmcg.com.sg to ask for more information.